Bib and combination thereof with bite tray

ABSTRACT

A bib for a bite registration tray has a paste supporting strip of soft, flexible, open mesh material, its lateral margins embedded in resilient snap fastening channels of set plastic material. Embedding of the margins is effected during molding of the channels. The channels are coextensive in length with the strip and each has a restricted entry passage with guide walls flaring outwardly from the passage, so that the channels can be snapped easily onto laterally spaced wire frame members, respectively, of a bite registration tray in a direction radially of the frame members for holding the strip in bridging relation to the space between the wire frame members. The channels are of such resiliency and the strip is so connected thereto that the strip can be adjusted for slack or tensioned condition by rotating one or both of the channels about the axes of the frame members, respectively. The gripping power of the channels is such that, coupled with the lengthwise curvature of the frame members and resilient warpage of the channels, the channels remain in the adjusted position to which they have been rotated, and thus retain the strip with the selected degree of slackness or tension. The bibs are produced in multiple by a new method.

United States Patent [191 Jones [5 BIB AND COMBINATION THEREOF WITH BITETRAY [76] Inventor: Russell J. Jones, 13804 Lake Shore DI'., Bratenahl,Ohio 441 10 [22] Filed: ,June 12, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 369,271

[52] US. Cl. 32/17 Primary Examiner-Robert Peshock Attorney, Agent, orFirm+John Harrow Leonard 5 7 ABSTRACT A bib for a bite registration trayhas a paste supporting strip of soft, flexible, Open mesh material, itslateral Jul 9, 1974 margins embedded in resilient snap fasteningchannels of set plastic material. Embedding of the margins is effectedduring molding of the channels. The channels are coextensive in lengthwith the strip and each has a restricted entry passage with guide wallsflaring outwardly from the passage, so that the channels can be snappedeasily onto laterally spaced wire frame members, respectively, of a biteregistration tray in a direction radially of the frame members forholding the strip in bridging relation to the space between the wireframe members. The channels are of such resiliency and the strip is soconnected thereto that the strip can be adjusted "for slack or tensionedcondition by rotating one or both of the channels about the axes of theframe members, respectively. The gripping power of the channels is suchthat, coupled with the lengthwise curvature of the frame members andresilient warpage of the channels, the channels remain in the adjustedposition to which they have been rotated, and thus retain the strip withthe selected degree of slackness or tension. The bibs are produced inmultiple by a new method.

4 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJUL si n sum 1 0F FIGI.

FIGZ.

FICA.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 1. Field of Invention Bite impression trays.

2. Description of Prior Art This invention relates to a bib and itscombination with a bite tray frame for taking bite impressions and is animprovement on the bibs and bite trays and frames described in my U.S.Letters Pat. Nos. 2,713,202, of Julyl9, 1955, and No. 3,574,259 of'Apr.13, 1971.

More particularly my invention is an improvement in the bib used in thebite tray frame of my first mentioned patent, and in the combination ofthe bib with that particular type of frame.

As described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,713,202, a bite tray frame is providedin the form of a single length of stiff, resilient wire bent to providea buccal side frame member, a lingual side frame member spaced laterallytherefrom, and an intermediate frame member integral with and connectingone end of the buccal frame member to one end of the lingual framemember. A portion of the wire continues beyond the opposite end of thebuccal frame member to provide ahandle, and the opposite end of thelingual frame member is left free and unconnected in any wayto thebuccal frame member.

In order to support impression paste bysuch a frame, a bib in the formof a strip of soft, flexible, open mesh material, which may be molded orwoven, is connected to the side frame members. In the form of the bibdisclosed in FIGS. 8 and 9 of U.S. Pat. No. 2,713,202, the bib strip isconnected at its lateral margins to the buccal and lingual frame memberby channel shape members superficially bonded exteriorly to the marginsof the strip. The walls of the channel are formed so as to provide arestricted throat of somewhat less width than the diameter of the buccaland lingual frame members. These members are made of resilient plasticmaterial so that the buccal and lingual frame members can be forced pastthe throat into the channelsby movement radially of the frame member tospring the sides of the channel apart, .whereby when the side framemembers are seated in the channels, the channel walls selfrestore andhold the channel members on the frame members with a sufficient degreeof tightness to support the bib bridging from one frame member to theother and with the charge of impression paste thereon. As mentioned, thebibs are secured to their holding channel shaped members by being bondedto the surface thereof, the material used being pressure sensitivecement. These bibs work satisfactorily in many respects, but have anumber of disadvantages. An important one is that they have a very shortshelf life. After a'substantial period of storage, the cement weakens sothat any substantial lateral stress on the bib margins rotates thechannel members, which loosely fit the frame members, and peels themargins off of the channel members. This is due not only to the loss ofadhesive qualities of the pressure sensitive cement upon aging but alsobecause the portion of the bib extending from one channel shaped memberto the other is tangential to the outer peripheral surface of thechannel shaped members, and consequently exerts thereon the largestpossible turning moment about the axes of the channel shaped members.Otherwise, the frame and the bibs,

especially while the adhesive wasfresh, was satisfactory in performingits function. The Wire frame isdesirable in that the handle-and sideframe members are relatively stiff and therefore offer a substantialresistance to lateral displacement by the buccal muscles. For example,they can be adjusted, for taking of right and left hand bitessimultaneously, and inserted in the mouth with assurance that they willnot be displaced laterally by the buccal muscles when the mouth isclosed, but will remain in proper position for taking an impression.

In U.S. Pat. No. 3,574,259, to provide a more secure bib connection, thebuccal and lingual frame members and end frame member and handle wereformed of molded plastic material with the lateral margins of the bibembedded in the buccal and lingual frame members, the normal plane ofthe bib and its margins being exactly at the median plane of the frame.This arrangement, while very satisfactory as a throw-away item, hadminor disadvantages in that the tautness or slackness of the bib arefixed in the molding operation and cannot readily be changed, regardlessof the type of impression material that might be used thereon.Furthermore, if the handle and buccal frame members were madesufficiently rigid to resistunusually severe cases of inward pressureexerted by the buccal musclesupon closing the mouth, they would beundesirably bulky for normal conditions. They could be clamped inposition for taking simultaneous right and left hand bite impressions byadjustment of the lateral displacement'and angular relation of thehandles relatively together and apart-But, due to their resiliency, itis necessary in such severe cases for the dentist to clamp the framemembers in an approximate position with an estimated allowance such thaton closing the mouth, the frame members would be deflected to properposition by the buccal muscles. The adjustment thus proceeded by thetrial and error method. While this adjustment technique can be acquiredin due course, dentists prefer a frame-which can be set in the openmouth and will hold the proper position relative to the teeth when themouth is closed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In the present invention, a new and improvedbib is provided for use in connection with the frame described in U.S.Pat. No. 2,713,202, and which, in cooperation therewith, makes possibleeasy installation of the bib and adjustment thereof so that the bib canremain slack or tensioned to a predetermined degree. The bib is of sucha structure that it can be manufactured readily in multiples. The shelflife is as long as that of the plastic material itself, and far beyondwhat would normally be required for assuring that each bib will functionproperly after prolonged storage.

Various other specific objects and advantages will become apparent fromthe following description wherein reference is made to the drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a bitetray frame and bib combination embodying the principles of the presentinvention, the frame and bib being shown with impression materialcarried on the. bib in position for taking a bite impression;

FIG. 2 is a left side elevation of the combination illustrated in FIG.1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross sectional view of one of the frame memberswith the installed bib and impression material thereon, and is taken onthe line 33 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged plan view of the bib of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a much enlarged fragmentary cross sectional view of one of thechannel shaped connecting members of the bib, installed on one of thebite frame members, and a portion of the bib mesh material, and is takenon line 5-5 of FIG. 4 and shows the relation of the channel shapedmember to the frame member and the manner in which the bib material isheld by the channel shaped member;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 3 illustrating the adjustment of thebib for medium tightness;

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6 showing the adjustment of the bib toplace it under substantial tension;

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of a plurality of bibs in the condition inwhich molded, and before cutting apart, illustrating the method ofmaking the bibs; and

FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view of the molded assembly of bibs and istaken on line 9-9 in FIG. 8, the gate and runner material being omitted.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to the drawing, thebite tray frame comprises essentially two substantially identicalframes, indicated generally at 1, each frame being formed of a singlelength of wire. The frame 1 is open at one end as indicated at 2, so asnot to interfere with the patients bite. The frame includes a buccalframe member 3 and a lingual frame member 4 spaced laterally inwardlytherefrom. The lingual frame member 4 has one end free, as indicated at5. The other end of the lingual frame member 4 is connected to anintermediate transverse frame member 6, which, in turn, has its oppositeend connected to one end of the buccal frame member. The buccal framemember 3 has a handle 7 extending from its opposite end and integraltherewith and forming a continuation of the wire of which the frame 1 iscomposed. One of the handles 7 has at the end opposite the buccal framemember 3 a tab 11 with an elongated slot 12 therein. The companion frame1 has a tab 13 with a hole therethrough through which extends a bolt 14carrying a nut 15. The tab 13 has upper and lower spaced wings 13a and13b between which the'tab 11 is slidably and snugly received, andbetween which it can be clamped for holding the handles at the desireddistance apart endwise of the slot 12, and also in the desired rotatedposition about the axis of the bolt 14, all as described in US. Pat. No.2,7l3,202.

Referring specifically to the improvement of the present invention, thenew and improved bib is indicated at and comprises an elongated strip ofsoft, flexible, woven or molded, open mesh sheet material having at itsopposite margins connecting channels 21, respectively, which extend thefull length of the strip 20. As best illustrated in FIG. 5, each of theconnecting channels 21 has a central trough or frame receiving portion22 of circular cross section and of a size to snugly accommodate anassociated one of the frame members 3 or 4. The portion 22 has arestricted entry passage 23.

It is desirable that the channel 21 be such as to be re ceived on one ofthe frame members, for example on the member 4, by movement of thechannel radially of the frame member 4. For this purpose the interiorwalls of the channel are flared outwardly, as indicated at 24, fromtheir juncture with the holding portion 22 and restricted entry passage23 to provide a guide. The outward flare is such that its maximum width,at the outer surface of the channel, is slightly greater than thediameter of the frame member 4. The width of the entry passage 23 isslightly less than the diameter of the wire so that the channel wallsare sprung apart by insertion of the-wire radially into the holdingportion 22, but without offering too great a resistance to entry of theframe member 4.

The material of the channels 21 is set plastic which is relatively stiffyet sufficiently resilient so that the channels 21 can be bent or flexedin all directions transversely of their axes. This is important in viewof the fact that the frame members, particularly the lingual framemember 4, is curved about an axis spaced from, and normal to, the planeof the frame, and thus is curved transversely of its axis. The channelshave such resiliency that they grip the frame members 3 and 4,respectively, sufficiently firmly to hold themselves fixedly in rotatedpositions about their axes relative to the frame members 3 and 4, whenin installed position thereon, against lateral forces imposed on thechannels by the bib strip.

The channels 21 are identical, both being normally straight andextending the full length of the strip of the bib material carriedthereby. Thus the bib can be installed by mounting on one of theconnecting members by snap fastening one of the channels on one of theframe members 3 and 4, and then snapping the other connecting member onthe other of the frame members 3 and 4. After installation both channelscan he slid endwise of the frame members 3 and 4 to desired positions,and their, gripping force is such that they hold themselves in theendwise position to which they are moved.

On the other hand, it is sometimes more convenient to install thechannels 21 on the lingual frame member 24 by introducing the free endof the frame member into the holding portion 22 and sliding the channel21 endwise onto the lingual frame member, and thereafter installing theother of the channels onto the buccal frame member by snapping itthereonto radially of the buccal frame member.

Here it is pointed out that the flexible strip of bib material is notsuperficially adhered to the channels 21, but, instead, is securedthereto by embedding its margins therein so that the plastic of whichthe channels are formed interpenetrates the margins of the strip,passing through the mesh, thus locking the strip fixedly to thechannels.

The material of the strip extends entirely across each channel 21, andmay protrude slightly beyond the outboard edge thereof. At its inboardedge, the strip exwalls 26 at the outer edge of the outer guide wall 24.

The strip thus issues from the channel memberat an outermost comer ofits cross section, indicated at 27.

I Here again it is to be noted that the corner 27 is spaced beyond theside of the diameter of the holding portion 22 opposite the bottom ofthe holding portion 22, and is also spaced laterally from thecircumference thereof. Since the'strip issues from the channel 21 atthis location, any pull on the bib strip for example a pull to the rightin FIG. 5, tends to rock thechannel 21 about the axis of the wire butdoes not impose any force tending to unwrap or peel the bib from thechannel, or break its bond therewith. The channel 21 has a sufficientgrip on the wire of the bite frame member 4 to prevent its rotationabout the axis of the wire by tension exerted by the bib transversely ofits width in any of the adjusted positions of the bib, as is laterdescribed. V

Normally, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the bib is mounted on the members 3and 4 with the channels inverted and opening downwardly,though they maybe open upwardly, if desired. In FIG. 3 the mounting is shown with thebib stripheld in slightly loose or slack condition, with the paste Pdeposited thereon. In this position the corners 27 lie in a planeparallel .to the plane of the frame. If it is desired to tighten the bibslightly, this can be done by rotating the channels 21 in oppositedirections about the axes of the frame members 3 and 4 which, asillustrated in FIG. 5, moves the corners 27 of one frame away from thecorresponding comer edge of the other frame, thus supplying a mediumtension to the bib strip. If even greater tension is desired, thechannels 21 may be rotated additionally in said oppo site directions,continuing in the same directions as they were rotated to reach theposition in FIG. 5, thus For this purpose a conventional type ofinjection mold is provided comprising companion mold plates 30 and 31,the. bottom mold plate 30 having .cavities 32 conforming to theexteriors of channels 21 and the top plate 31 having core portions 33for forming the interior of the channels, the entry portions 23, andwall portions 26. As illustrated in FIG. 8, the cavities 32 are arrangedin laterally spaced relation to each other in rows, the rows beingoffset from each other endwise of the members of the cavities. Thesecavities are connected by main runners 34 and laterals 35 which latterlead into gates 36, one gate for each cavity. A strip of bib material Fis provided and is laid onto the parting face of the lower mold plateendwise of a row of cavities 32, bridging across the open sides thereof.The fabric is left relatively loose-and the mold plates are then movingthe corners 27 still farther apart. This latter turning can be continueduntil, in effect, the bib strip actually flexes the frame members 3 and4 themselves closer together, particularly adjacent the free end of thelingual frame member 4.

The fact that the connecting members retain these rotated positions inwhich set is due to the clamping pressure on the wires, and is augmentedby the fact that the frame members are curvilinear so that, when thechannels 21 are fastened thereon and rotated to a given positions, theyare warped transversely of their axes and therefore resists to a greaterdegree rotation of the installed positions.

In the bibs described in my U.S. Pat. No. 2,713,202, this effect couldnot be obtained as the channel connectors could rotate freely abouttheir axes in directions to eliminate any tension on the bib strip, andif the tension were substantial, the channels would be rotated by thebib strip causing the bib strip to peel off of the surfaces of thechannels if the holding properties of the cement had been reduced-byprolonged storage.

The present bib structure has a distinct advantage also in themanufacture of the bibs themselves, in that the cost is greatly reduced.In the prior structures, the bib material had to be cut into individualbib strip pieces and each piece cemented by hand to the channels. In thepresent structure this is unnecessary and, as illustrated in FIG. 9, alarge number may be produced concurrently with little manual handling bythe present method.

closed and while held firmly closed and in firm gripping relation to thestrip F, the plastic'is injected so that a plurality of rows of bibswith the bibs of each row in laterally spaced relation to each other areprovided, these bibs being connected only by the very thin gate materialand the strip of material F. The cavities32 of each row are arranged inpairs, the cavities of each pair being spaced apart the distancerequired for the width of the bib, and each channel of each pair isspaced slightly from the adjacent channel of'the adjacent pair. The bibsare separated from each other by hand or machine cutting of theintegument of fabric extending between the two closely spaced adjacentchannels of adjacent pairs, in. each instance. The resultant bibs can bemade with adequate precision to assure the functioning as abovedescribed. They have a shelf life of indefinitely long length withoutany appreciable deterioration.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A bib and bite frame combination for introducing bite registrationmaterial between the occlusal surfaces of the teeth;

the frame being of stiff, resilient wire and having an elongated buccalframe member, an elongated lingual frame member spaced laterallytherefrom, and

' a transverse end frame member at, and connecting,

the rear ends of the buccal and lingual frame members, said buccal framemember havingat its forward end a forwardly extending handle portion andlingual frame members having its forward end free; the bib comprising astrip of thin, flexible, soft, open mesh material;

elongated, straight, channel members connected to the lateral margins ofthe strip, respectively;

each channel member being shaped throughout its length to accommodatenear its bottom associated one of said lingual and buccal frame membersin a position extending endwise of the channel member for the fulllength of the channel member, and having resilient side walls withportions defining a radially open restricted entry passage, and beingcoextensive with the channel member, the ends of the flexible stripterminating at the ends of the channel members and being free;

each channel member being resiliently resistant to flexure transverselyof its longitudinal axis;

said channel members each being composed of resiliently distortableself-restoring set plastic material;

characterized in that the resiliency and self-restoring characteristicsof the material are such as to promargins of the strip are embedded insaid side walls of the channel members, respectively, and each embeddedmargin extends through the outer peripheral surface of the member andlies in a plane parallel to, but offset from, the axis of the wireaccomodating portion of the associatedchannel member.

3. The structure according to claim 2 wherein each embedded marginpasses through the outermost lateral limit of the adjacent side wall ofthe associated channel member.

4. The structure according to claim 1 wherein at least the buccal framemember is curvilinear endwise; and the channel member in which thebuccal frame member is accommodated has sufficient resiliency andgripping power so that, in installed position, it can be rotated aboutits axis, in the warped condition of its axis, to selected positions toadjust the bib, edgewise of the bib, from slack condition to tensionedcondition, and, when the bib is so rotated, can retain the channelmember on the buccal frame member in its rotated position relativethereto against any pull exerted by the bib on its margins.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3, 7 13Dated J ly 9: 97

Inventofle) R ssell J. Jones It is. certified that error appears in theabove-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are herebycorrected as shown below:

Col. 5, line 45, delete "a"; line &6, deletethe h hen;

' line &7, for "resists" read --resist; line 7,

after "bottom" read --out--.

Col. 6, line +6, for "members" read --member-; line 52,

after "bottom" read --an--.

Signed and sealed this 22nd day of October 1974.

(SEAL);

Attest: Y MoCOY M GIBSON JR. c. MARSHALL DANN Att-esti'ng OfficerCommissioner 'of Patents FORM P0-105O (10-69) USCOMM-DC 60376-P69 I QGOVIIHMENT PRINTING OFFICE: HIP 0-360-334

1. A bib and bite frame combination for introducing bite registrationmaterial between the occlusal surfaces of the teeth; the frame being ofstiff, resilient wire and having an elongated buccal frame member, anelongated lingual frame member spaced laterally therefrom, and atransverse end frame member at, and connecting, the rear ends of thebuccal and lingual frame members, said buccal frame member having at itsforward end a forwardly extending handle portion and lingual framemembers having its forward end free; the bib comprising a strip of thin,flexible, soft, open mesh material; elongated, straight, channel membersconnected to the lateral margins of the strip, respectively; eachchannel member being shaped throughout its length to accommodate nearits bottom associated one of said lingual and buccal frame members in aposition extending endwise of the channel member for the full length ofthe channel member, and having resilient side walls with portionsdefining a radially open restricted entry passage, and being coextensivewith the channel member, the ends of the flexible strip terminating atthe ends of the channel members and being free; each channel memberbeing resiliently resistant to flexure transversely of its longitudinalaxis; said channel members each being composed of resilientlydistortable self-restoring set plastic material; characterized in thatthe resiliency and self-restoring characteristics of the material aresuch as to provide for clamping engagement of the channel members withbuccal and lingual frame members respectively when inserted radiallythereinto through the radial entry passage; and characterized further inthat said margins of said strip are interpenetrated by the set plasticmaterial of the channel members, respectively, for the full length ofthe strip.
 2. The structure according to claim 1 wherein the margins ofthe strip are embedded in said side walls of the channel members,respectively, and each embedded margin extends through the outerperipheral surface of the member and lies in a plane parallel to, butoffset from, the axis of the wire accomodating portion of the associatedchannel member.
 3. The structure according to claim 2 wherein eachembedded margin passes through the outermost lateral limit of theadjacent side wall of the associated channel member.
 4. The structureaccording to claim 1 wherein at least the buccal frame member iscurvilinear endwise; and the channel member in which the buccal framemember is accommodated has sufficient resiliency and gripping power sothat, in installed position, it can be rotated about its axis, in thewarped condition of its axis, to selected positions to adjust the bib,edgewise of the bib, from slack condition to tensioned condition, and,when the bib is so rotated, can retain the channel member on the buccalframe member in its rotated position relative thereto against any pullexerted by the bib on its margins.